Digital Video Zooming System

ABSTRACT

A system for preparing a digital video stream for zooming by a content consumer system, including a video frame processor to prepare a plurality of video frames of the digital video stream, a zoom location processor to prepare a plurality of zoom location indicators in the digital video stream, each of the zoom location indicators including an element indicative of a least one horizontal position and at least one vertical position in the video frames, and a stream processor to temporally synchronize the zoom location indicators and the video frames in the digital video stream, such that the video frames are available to be zoomed by the content consumer system based on the zoom location indicators during playback of the digital video steam. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a media system, and in particular imageprocessing in media systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By way of introduction, many broadcasters and regulators have demandedthat TV broadcasts are made more accessible to viewers who have viewingor hearing difficulties. The demand has spurred the introduction offeatures, such as, subtitles (closed captions), “signed” broadcasts andaudio description tracks.

Recently, the introduction of High Definition (HD) broadcasts and theincreased interest in handheld TV reception devices have presented newchallenges to content producers who have to produce and deliver imagesto differing types of displays with a significant range of visualresolution (perhaps 10:1 in the range of the pixel resolution of a HDdisplay versus a handheld device).

A related challenge has been the display of widescreen film formats(such as 16:9) on standard definition (SD) format (4:3) TV displays.Early transmission systems simply prepared the content for delivery to atotally 4:3 audience by “pan and scan” in the studio as part of thetelecine process of transferring feature films to video tape prior totransmission. An operator would select which part of the film imagewould be visible in the 4:3 “window”.

Some TV transmission standards have considered delivering the originalbroadcast in widescreen mode and also carrying some basic metadata tocontrol the left/right shift of the image for display on a compatible4:3 display. However, the functionality has never been widely deployed.

In the field of computers, Microsoft Corp. introduced the Microsoft“Magnifier” used to assist visually impaired PC users see sections ofthe screen at a larger size. The level of zoom and the area for zoomingis totally controlled by the user.

The following references are believed to represent the state of the art:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,400,852 to Miller, II et al.;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,201 to Song, et al.;

U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,423 to Clapper;

US Published Patent Application No. 2005/0151884 of Oh; and

US Published Patent Application No. 2005/0151885 of Choi.

The disclosures of all references mentioned above and throughout thepresent specification, as well as the disclosures of all referencesmentioned in those references, are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved image processingsystem, for example, but not limited to, selected zooming andpixelization, in a media system.

The system of the present invention, in preferred embodiments thereof,includes a system whereby a content provider provides a content consumersystem with a digital video stream including video frames and associatedzoom location indicators so that the content consumer system can enlargethe video frame images based on the zoom location indicators, providinga form of dynamically managed “zoom”.

Each zoom location indicator preferably includes an element which isindicative of a horizontal and vertical position in the video framesrepresenting a center of a zoom target area. Each zoom locationindicator preferably includes a length which is indicative of themagnitude of the zoom target area. The magnitude is typically expressedas a radius extending from the center of the zoom target area. Thecenter and magnitude of the zoom target area are preferably measured inpixels.

The content provider typically specifies the center of each zoom targetarea as a coordinate point in the image which represents the focal pointof the current shot, such as the head of a currently speaking actor, sothat the content consumer system enlarges the image centered on thefocal point.

The centre and magnitude of the zoom target area is generally updatedperiodically. The centre and magnitude of the zoom target area istypically constant across a plurality of video frames.

In accordance with a most preferred embodiment of the present invention,the digital video stream determines zoom location indicators for videoframes, which do not have associated zoom location indicators in thedigital video stream, by using an interpolation technique.

In accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the data of the video frames and the zoom location indicatorsare not located in the same packets within the digital video stream. Thevideo frame and the zoom location indicators are then associated witheach other typically using temporal synchronization based on a timestamp of each packet.

In accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, each zoom location indicator is located within an associatedvideo frame data packet.

The abovementioned zoom system may be implemented in any suitable mediasystem, for example, but not limited to, a broadcasting system where thebroadcast transport stream includes the video frames and associated zoomlocation indicators, and/or a non-volatile digital storage medium suchthat the recorded digital video stream includes video frames andassociated zoom location indicators.

The zooming system can be used to help: viewers with visualdisabilities; or viewers who are attempting to watch visually detailedbroadcasts on lower resolution and/or smaller display devices (forexample: HD images on SD TV or handheld devices; or SD TV on handhelddevices) and who may find it difficult to properly see and/or perceivethe primary details of a TV image, for example, but not limited to, whois speaking or which player has the ball.

It is known that media content can be restricted for certain viewers,for example, preventing children from viewing certain programs usingparental control systems available in media devices such as set-topboxes (STBs). However, parental control systems typically only restrictaccess to a complete program. Such restriction may not be necessary whenparts of the program are acceptable.

The zooming system may be used to look away from objectionable materialby specifying the zoom target area such that the zoom target areaincludes a non-objectionable part of the image. The zoom control istypically automatically activated when the suitability age of theprogram does not fall within the criteria specified by the parentalcontrol rules.

Additionally or alternatively, the system of the present invention, inpreferred embodiments thereof, also includes a system to enable acontent consumer system to visually obscure, typically by pixelization,selected parts of video frames based on obscuring location indicatorsincluded in the digital video stream. The obscuring location indicatorstypically include a center of the obscuring target area as well as amagnitude of the obscuring target area. The magnitude is typicallyexpressed as a radius extending from the center of the obscuring targetarea.

It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that thevisual obscuring system can be implemented separately from, or togetherwith, the zoom system.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention a system for preparing a digital video stream forzooming by a content consumer system, including a video frame processorto prepare a plurality of video frames of the digital video stream, azoom location processor to prepare a plurality of zoom locationindicators in the digital video stream, each of the zoom locationindicators including an element indicative of at least one horizontalposition and at least one vertical position in the video frames, and astream processor to temporally synchronize the zoom location indicatorsand the video frames in the digital video stream, such that the videoframes are available to be zoomed by the content consumer system basedon the zoom location indicators during playback of the digital videostream.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include data, the zoom location indicatorsand the data of the video frames being located in separate packets inthe digital video stream.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the element of each of the zoom location indicators isindicative of a center of a zoom target area.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the video frames includes a plurality of pixels, thehorizontal position and the vertical position of the center beingmeasured using the pixels.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the zoom location indicators includes a lengthindicative of a magnitude of the zoom target area.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the video frames includes a plurality of pixels, thelength being measured using the pixels.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include a first video frame associated with afirst one of the zoom location indicators, and a second video frameassociated with a second one of the zoom location indicators, and atleast one intervening video frame temporally located between the firstvideo frame and the second video frame, the zoom location indicatorsincluding an interpolation flag to inform the content consumer systemwhether to interpolate between the first zoom location indicator and thesecond zoom location indicator in order to determine an interpolatedzoom location indicator for the at least one intervening video frame.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a system for preparing a digitalvideo stream for zooming by a plurality of content consumer systems,including a video frame processor to prepare a plurality of video framesof the digital video stream, a zoom location processor to prepare aplurality of zoom location indicators in the digital video stream, eachof the zoom location indicators including an element indicative of atleast one horizontal position and at least one vertical position in thevideo frames, a stream processor to associate the zoom locationindicators and the video frames in the digital video stream, such thatthe video frames are available to be zoomed by the content consumersystems based on the zoom location indicators during playback of thedigital video stream, and a broadcasting module to prepare the digitalvideo stream for broadcasting to the content consumer systems.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include data, the zoom location indicatorsand the data of the video frames being located in separate packets inthe digital video stream.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the stream processor is operative to temporally synchronizethe zoom location indicators and the video frames.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include data within a plurality of packets,the zoom location indicators being located within at least some of thepackets of the data of the video frames.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the element of each of the zoom location indicators isindicative of a center of a zoom target area.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the video frames includes a plurality of pixels, thehorizontal position and the vertical position of the center beingmeasured using the pixels.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the zoom location indicators includes a lengthindicative of a magnitude of the zoom target area.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the video frames includes a plurality of pixels, thelength being measured using the pixels.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include a first video frame associated with afirst one of the zoom location indicators, and a second video frameassociated with a second one of the zoom location indicators, and atleast one intervening video frame temporally located between the firstvideo frame and the second video frame, the zoom location indicatorsincluding an interpolation flag to inform the content consumer systemswhether to interpolate between the first zoom location indicator and thesecond zoom location indicator in order to determine an interpolatedzoom location indicator for the at least one intervening video frame.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a system for preparing a digitalvideo stream for zooming by a content consumer system, including a videoframe processor to prepare a plurality of video frames of the digitalvideo stream, a zoom location processor to prepare a plurality of zoomlocation indicators in the digital video stream, each of the zoomlocation indicators including an element indicative of at least onehorizontal position and at least one vertical position in the videoframes, a stream processor to associate the zoom location indicators andthe video frames in the digital video stream, such that the video framesare available to be zoomed by the content consumer system based on thezoom location indicators during playback of the digital video stream,and a recording module to prepare the digital video stream for recordingonto a non-volatile digital storage medium for reading by the contentconsumer system.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include data, the zoom location indicatorsand the data of the video frames being located in separate packets inthe digital video stream.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the stream processor is operative to temporally synchronizethe zoom location indicators and the video frames.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include data within a plurality of packets,the zoom location indicators being located within at least some of thepackets of the data of the video frames.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the element of each of the zoom location indicators isindicative of a center of a zoom target area.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the video frames include a plurality of pixels, thehorizontal position and the vertical position of the center beingmeasured using the pixels.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the zoom location indicators includes a lengthindicative of a magnitude of the zoom target area.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the video frames include a plurality of pixels, thelength being measured using the pixels.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include a first video frame associated with afirst one of the zoom location indicators, and a second video frameassociated with a second one of the zoom location indicators, and atleast one intervening video frame temporally located between the firstvideo frame and the second video frame, the zoom location indicatorsincluding an interpolation flag to inform the content consumer systemwhether to interpolate between the first zoom location indicator and thesecond zoom location indicator in order to determine an interpolatedzoom location indicator for the at least one intervening video frame.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a content consumer system forreceiving a digital video stream, the digital video stream including aplurality of video frames and at least one location indicator, thelocation indicator including an element being indicative of at least onehorizontal position and at least one vertical position in the videoframes, the system including a stream receiver to receive the videoframes and the at least one location indicator of the video stream froma broadcaster, and a display processor to process the video frames ofthe digital video stream based on the at least one location indicatorduring play of the digital video stream.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the processing of the video frames based on the at least onelocation indicator is selectable by a user of the content consumersystem.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the display processor is operative to zoom the video framesbased on the at least one location indicator during play of the videostream.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the magnitude of the zoom is determined by a user of thecontent consumer system.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the display processor is operative to visually obscure atleast part of the video frames based on the at least one locationindicator during play of the video stream.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the display processor is operative to visually obscure atleast part of the video frames in accordance with a parental controlrule.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the display processor is operative to visually obscure atleast part of the video frames using pixelization.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include a first video frame associated with afirst location indicator, and a second video frame associated with asecond location indicator, and at least one intervening video frametemporally located between the first video frame and the second videoframe, the display processor being operative to interpolate between thefirst location indicator and the second location indicator in order todetermine an interpolated location indicator for the at least oneintervening frame.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include data, the at least one locationindicator and the data of the video frames being located in separatepackets in the digital video stream.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the display processor is operative to temporally synchronizethe at least one location indicator and the video frames.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include data within a plurality of packets,the at least one location indicator being located within at least one ofthe packets of the data of the video frames.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the element of the at least one location indicator isindicative of a center of a target area.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the video frames includes a plurality of pixels, thehorizontal position and the vertical position of the center beingmeasured using the pixels.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the at least one location indicator includes a lengthindicative of a magnitude of the target area.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the video frames includes a plurality of pixels, thelength being measured using the pixels.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a system for preparing a digitalvideo stream to be at least partially visually obscured by a contentconsumer system, including a video frame processor to prepare aplurality of video frames of the digital video stream, an obscuringlocation processor to prepare at least one obscuring location indicatorin the digital video stream, the at least one obscuring locationindicator including an element indicative of at least one horizontalposition and at least one vertical position in the video frames, and astream processor to associate the at least one obscuring locationindicator and the video frames in the digital video stream, such that atleast part of the video frames are available to be visually obscured bythe content consumer system based on the at least one obscuring locationindicator during playback of the digital video stream.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the stream processor is operative to temporally synchronizethe at least one obscuring location indicator and the video frames.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the system includes a broadcasting module to prepare thedigital video stream for broadcasting to the content consumer system.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the system includes a recording module to prepare the digitalvideo stream for recording onto a non-volatile digital storage mediumfor reading by the content consumer system.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include data, the at least one obscuringlocation indicator and the data of the video frames being located inseparate packets in the digital video stream.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include data within a plurality of packets,the at least one obscuring location indicator being located within atleast one of the packets of the data of the video frames.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the element of the obscuring location indicator is indicativeof a center of an obscuring target area.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the video frames includes a plurality of pixels, thehorizontal position and the vertical position of the center beingmeasured using the pixels.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the at least one obscuring location indicator includes alength indicative of a magnitude of the obscuring target area.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the video frames includes a plurality of pixels, thelength being measured using the pixels.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include a first video frame associated with afirst obscuring location indicator, and a second video frame associatedwith a second obscuring location indicator, and at least one interveningvideo frame temporally located between the first video frame and thesecond video frame, the at least one obscuring location indicatorincluding an interpolation flag to inform the content consumer systemwhether to interpolate between the first obscuring location indicatorand the second obscuring location indicator in order to determine aninterpolated obscuring location indicator for the at least oneintervening video frame.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the at least one obscuring location indicator includes atleast one pixelization location indicator, such that at least part ofthe video frames are available to be visually obscured by pixelizationby the content consumer system based on the at least one pixelizationlocation indicator during playback of the digital video stream.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a non-volatile digital storagemedium readable by a content consumer system, the non-volatile digitalstorage medium including a digital video stream including a plurality ofvideo frames, and at least one location indicator, the at least onelocation indicator including an element indicative of at least onehorizontal position and at least one vertical position in the videoframes, the video frames and the at least one location indicator beingassociated such that the video frames are available to be processed bythe content consumer system based on the at least one location indicatorduring playback of the digital video stream.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the digital video stream also includes at least onesynchronization element for synchronizing the at least one locationindicator and the video frames in the digital video stream.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the at least one synchronization element is a temporalsynchronization element.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the at least one location indicator is a zoom locationindicator, such that the video frames are available to be zoomed by thecontent consumer system based on the at least one location indicatorduring playback of the digital video stream.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the at least one location indicator includes at least oneobscuring location indicator, such that at least part of the videoframes are available to be visually obscured by the content consumersystem based on the at least one location indicator during playback ofthe digital video stream.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the at least one obscuring location indicator includes atleast one pixelization location indicator, such that at least part ofthe video frames are available to be visually obscured by pixelizationby the content consumer system based on the at least one pixelizationlocation indicator during playback of the digital video stream.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include data, the at least one locationindicator and the data of the video frames being located in separatepackets in the digital video stream.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include data within a plurality of packets,the at least one location indicator being located within at least one ofthe packets of the data of the video frames.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the element of the at least one location indicator isindicative of a center of a zoom target area.

Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the video frames includes a plurality of pixels, thehorizontal position and the vertical position of the center beingmeasured using the pixels.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the at least one location indicator includes a lengthindicative of a magnitude of the target area.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention each of the video frames includes a plurality of pixels, thelength being measured using the pixels.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention the video frames include a first video frame associated with afirst location indicator, and a second video frame associated with asecond location indicator, and at least one intervening video frametemporally located between the first video frame and the second videoframe, the at least one location indicator including an interpolationflag to inform the content consumer system whether to interpolatebetween the first location indicator and the second location indicatorin order to determine an interpolated location indicator for the atleast one intervening video frame.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a method for preparing a digitalvideo stream for zooming by a content consumer system, includingpreparing a plurality of video frames of the digital video stream,preparing a plurality of zoom location indicators in the digital videostream, each of the zoom location indicators including an elementindicative of at least one horizontal position and at least one verticalposition in the video frames, and temporally synchronizing the zoomlocation indicators and the video frames in the digital video stream,such that the video frames are available to be zoomed by the contentconsumer system based on the zoom location indicators during playback ofthe digital video stream.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a method for preparing a digitalvideo stream for zooming by a plurality of content consumer systems,including preparing a plurality of video frames of the digital videostream, preparing a plurality of zoom location indicators in the digitalvideo stream, each of the zoom location indicators including an elementindicative of at least one horizontal position and at least one verticalposition in the video frames, associating the zoom location indicatorsand the video frames in the digital video stream, such that the videoframes are available to be zoomed by the content consumer systems basedon the zoom location indicators during playback of the digital videostream, and preparing the digital video stream for broadcasting to thecontent consumer systems.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a method for preparing a digitalvideo stream for zooming by a content consumer system, includingpreparing a plurality of video frames of the digital video stream,preparing a plurality of zoom location indicators in the digital videostream, each of the zoom location indicators including an elementindicative of at least one horizontal position and at least one verticalposition in the video frames, associating the zoom location indicatorsand the video frames in the digital video stream, such that the videoframes are available to be zoomed by the content consumer system basedon the zoom location indicators during playback of the digital videostream, and preparing the digital video stream for recording onto anon-volatile digital storage medium for reading by the content consumersystem.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a method for receiving a digitalvideo stream, the digital video stream including a plurality of videoframes and at least one location indicator, the location indicatorincluding an element being indicative of at least one horizontalposition and at least one vertical position in the video frames, themethod including receiving the video frames and the at least onelocation indicator of the video stream from a broadcaster, and processthe video frames of the digital video stream based on the at least onelocation indicator during play of the digital video stream.

There is also provided in accordance with still another preferredembodiment of the present invention a method for preparing a digitalvideo stream to be at least partially visually obscured by a contentconsumer system, including preparing a plurality of video frames of thedigital video stream, preparing at least one obscuring locationindicator in the digital video stream, the at least one obscuringlocation indicator including an element indicative of at least onehorizontal position and at least one vertical position in the videoframes, and associating the at least one obscuring location indicatorand the video frames in the digital video stream, such that at leastpart of the video frames are available to be visually obscured by thecontent consumer system based on the obscuring location indicatorsduring playback of the digital video stream.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of a system forzooming video frames constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a plurality of annotated video frames at aHeadend and processed video frames at a set-top box of the system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view showing the interpolation of locationindicators in a set-top box of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a simplified view of a digital video stream for use with thesystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a simplified view of another digital video stream for use withthe system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram view of a Headend of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram view of a set-top box for use with the systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram view of a recording system constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of anon-volatile digital storage medium formed by the recording system ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is partly pictorial, partly block diagram view of anothernon-volatile digital storage medium formed by the recording system ofFIG. 8; and

FIG. 11 is a party pictorial, partly block diagram view of a system forvisually obscuring at least part of selected video frames constructedand operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that, throughout the presentapplication, a set-top box is used by way of example only, and that thepresent invention is not limited to a particular type of contentconsumer system, but rather includes any suitable content consumersystem, for example, but not limited to, a handheld TV device or DVDplayer.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a partly pictorial, partlyblock diagram view of a system 10 for zooming video frames constructedand operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The system 10 preferably includes a Headend 12 forbroadcasting a digital video stream 16 to a plurality of set-top boxes14. The Headend 12 preferably prepares the digital video stream 16 whichtypically includes a plurality of video frames 18 and a plurality ofzoom location indicators 20.

The zoom location indicators 20 preferably include a center 30 of a zoomtarget area 34 and a magnitude of the zoom target area 34, the magnitudetypically being a length, for example, a radius 32 extending from thecenter 30 to a circumference 36 of the zoom target area 34.

The center 30 of the zoom target area 34 is generally an elementindicative of a horizontal position and a vertical position in the videoframe 18. The center 30 is preferably measured using pixels. Similarly,the radius 32 of the zoom target area 34 is preferably measured usingpixels.

The set-top boxes 14 preferably use the radius 32 to calculate whatlevel of zoom is needed to fill the screen with the zoom target area 34of the video image enclosed by the circumference 36.

The zoom location indicators 20 are described in more detail withreference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The zoom location indicators 20 are typically defined duringpost-production or other processes associated with live TV production,described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6. Typically, change ofshot and/or camera events are recognized and suitable methods are usedto manually or automatically specify the center 30 and/or radius 32 ofthe zoom target area 34 of the selected video frames in order togenerating time stamped metadata including the zoom location indicators20. Zoom location indicators for frames between the selected videoframes are preferably determined using any suitable interpolationtechnique processed either at the Headend 12 or in the set-top boxes 14.

The zoom location indicators 20 are typically included in the digitalvideo stream 16 as a stream of low bandwidth, time-stamped metadata.

The digital video stream 16 is received by the set-top boxes 14.

A viewer 22 is viewing a TV 24 and a viewer 26 is viewing a TV 28. Theviewer 22 of the TV 24 does not require the received video frames 18 tobe enlarged. However, the viewer 26 of the TV 28 has impaired vision andwants to activate the zoom control function of the set-top box 14.

Therefore, the video frames 18 are displayed on the TV 24 withoutenlargement thereby ignoring the zoom location indicators 20, whereasthe video frames 18 are displayed on the TV 28 with enlargement based onthe zoom location indicators 20 resulting in a larger display of thearea of the image around the center 30, and the loss of some of theimage outside of the zoom target area 34.

Digital video transmission and synchronization systems in the set-topboxes 14 typically enable the time-stamped metadata of the zoom locationindicators 20 to be processed, and where needed interpolated, withoutthe need for substantial additional CPU demand. The processing systemsof the set-top boxes 14 are described in more detail with reference toFIG. 7.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a pictorial view of aplurality of annotated video frames 38 at the Headend 12 and a pluralityof processed video frames 40 at the set-top box 14 of the system 10 ofFIG. 1. Each annotated video frame 38 is shown with the center 30 andthe radius 32 of the zoom target area 34 superimposed thereon for thesake of simplicity. However, it should be noted that center 30 and theradius 32 are not visually superimposed over the video frames 38. Thecenter 30 and radius 32 are typically included as numerical data whichis included within the digital video stream 16 (FIG. 1) preferably asmetadata.

FIG. 2 shows that the zoom target area 34 varies in position and sizebetween the video frames 38. The video frames 38 are processed in theset-top box 14 based on the center 30 and radius 32 of each video frame38, resulting in processed video frames 40.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a pictorial view showing apreferred example of interpolation of the zoom location indicators 20 inthe set-top box 14 of the system 10 of FIG. 1. The digital video stream16 broadcast by the Headend 12 includes a video frames 42, 44, 46, 48.The video frame 42 has associated zoom location indicators 20 includinga center 50 and a radius 52. The video frame 48 has associated zoomlocation indicators 20 including a center 54 and a radius 56. Theintervening video frames 44, 46 which are temporally located between thevideo frames 42, 48, do not have explicit zoom location indicators 20.

Therefore, there are two processing options available for the set-topbox 14. The first option is to use the center 50 and radius 52 of thevideo frame 42 to determine the zooming of the intervening video frames44, 46. The second option is to interpolate between the centers 50, 54and radii 52, 56, respectively, of the video frame 42 and the videoframe 48 in order to determine the zooming of the intervening videoframes 44, 46.

It will be appreciated that the first option will be more preferred forcertain frames, while the second option will be more preferred for otherframes. Therefore, the zoom location indicators 20 associated with thevideo frame 42 preferably include an interpolation flag 58 which informsthe set-top box 14 whether to interpolate between the center 50 and theradius 52 of the video frame 42 and the center 54 and radius 56 of thevideo frame 48, respectively, in order to determine an interpolatedcenter 60 and an interpolated radius 62 for the video frame 44 and aninterpolated center 64 and an interpolated radius 66 for the video frame46.

It should be noted that the data of the center 54 and the radius 56needs to be broadcast (or played back) early enough (possibly before thevideo data of the video frame 48 is broadcast/played back) so that theinterpolated center 60, the interpolated radius 62, the interpolatedcenter 64 and the interpolated radius 66 can be calculated in time forprocessing display of the video frame 44 and the video frame 46.

TABLE 1 X Y R Interpolation Comment Time pixels pixels pixels Flag (notpart of metadata) 10000000 305 200 80 N Fixed zoom location indicators10000100 234 180 80 Y Start of move 10000500 349 245 70 N End of move10000501 212 306 95 N Shot change

An example of the metadata format including the zoom location indicators20 is shown in table 1, wherein “Time” is typically specified in eitherproduction format (HH:MM:SS:FF) or presentation time stamp (PTS) formataccording to the overall system architecture, “X pixels” and “Y pixels”are the horizontal and vertical coordinates in pixels of the center 30,“R pixels” is the radius in pixels and “Interpolation Flag” advises theset-top boxes 14 whether or not to interpolate the data, as describedabove.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified view of thedigital video stream 16 for use with the system 10 of FIG. 1. The zoomlocation indicators 20 and the data of the video frames 18 arepreferably located in separate packets 70 in the digital video stream16. For example, the data of the video frame 18, with a time stamp, t₁,is located in a packet 72 and the zoom location indicators 20, with atime stamp, t₁, are located in a packet 74. The data of the video frame18 of the packet 72 is associated with the zoom location indicators 20of the packet 74 by the time stamp, t₁. Therefore, in even though allthe data of the video frames 18 and the zoom location indicators 20 arein separate packets 70, video frames 18 are typically matched withassociated zoom location indicators 20 by temporal synchronization usingthe time stamps of each packet 70.

It should be noted that the data of a single video frame 18 typicallyrequires many of the packets 70 in order to carry all the data of thesingle video frame 18.

Temporal synchronization is now described in more detail with referenceto Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) transport streams carrying MPEG-2compressed video. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled inthe art that temporal synchronization can be applied to other suitabletransport stream systems. The MPEG-2 compressed video stream typicallyincludes video, audio and subtitling data. As the data passes through avideo compressor (not shown) at the Headend 12, each packet 70 of eachdata type for each program is typically assigned a separate packet ID(PID) (not shown). For example, all the video data packets for a singleprogram typically have the same common PID. All the English Audiopackets (not shown) for the same program typically have another commonPID. Each packet 70 also generally includes a Presentation Time Stamp(PTS) value (for example t₁ in FIG. 4) which is typically derived fromthe master clock (not shown) in the compressor.

The different streams are generally delivered to the video, audio andsubtitling decoders (not shown) in the set-top box 14 with differentdelivery latencies and buffer models. The PTS of each packet 70generally enables the three streams to be re-synchronized within theset-top box 14 so that the video, audio and subtitling are presented tothe viewer with the same synchronization timing relationship the datahad when the data was presented to the compressor at the Headend 12.

Similarly, the packets containing the metadata associated with the zoomlocation indicators 20 of a program are preferably assigned a common PIDby the compressor at the Headend 12. Each packet 72 containing the zoomlocation indicators 20 is preferably assigned a PTS by the master clock.Therefore, the packets 72 containing the zoom location indicators 20 aretypically temporally synchronized to the packets 74 containing the dataof the video frames 18 in the set-top box 14 by using the PTS of thepackets 70.

The above synchronization method is simple to implement and is fullycompatible with most existing and legacy MPEG set-top boxes.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a simplified view of anotherdigital video stream 76 for use with the system 10 of FIG. 1. Inaccordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the zoom location indicators 20 are located within thepackets 70 of the data of the video frames 18 thereby automaticallyassociating the zoom location indicators 20 and the video frames 18.Therefore, the zoom location indicators 20 typically do not need to besynchronized with the video frames 18. It should be noted that the videosyntax of existing transport standards, for example, but not limited to,MPEG-2, may require revision. Additionally, legacy set-top boxes may notbe compatible with the revised video syntax.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a block diagram view of theHeadend 12 of the system 10 of FIG. 1. Reference is also made to FIG. 1.The Headend 12 preferably includes a video frame processor 78, a zoomlocation processor 80, a stream processor 82 and a broadcasting module84.

The video frame processor 78 preferably prepares the video frames 18 ofthe digital video stream 16 typically including encoding (andcompressing), multiplexing and optionally (but preferably) scrambling.

The zoom location processor 80 preferably prepares the zoom locationindicators 20 in the digital video stream 16 typically includingencoding, multiplexing and optionally (but preferably) scrambling.

The stream processor 82 preferably associates the zoom locationindicators 20 and the video frames 18 in the digital video stream 16,such that the video frames 18 are available to be zoomed by the set-topboxes 14 based on the zoom location indicators 20 during playback of thedigital video stream 16.

When the zoom location indicators 20 and the data of the video frames 18are located in separate packets 70 (FIG. 4) in the digital video stream16, the stream processor 82 is typically operative to temporallysynchronize the zoom location indicators 20 and the video frames 18using a time stamp in each packet of the digital video stream 16. Thetime stamp is typically added during encoding of the video frames 18 andthe zoom location indicators 20.

The broadcasting module 84 preferably prepares the digital video stream16 for broadcasting to the set-top boxes 14 typically including:modulating the digital video stream 16 for transmission in a satellite,cable or terrestrial broadcast environment; or preparing packets forbroadcast in an Internet Protocol (IP) broadcast environment; andsending the digital video stream 16 to a transmitter for onwardtransmission.

The values assigned to the zoom location indicators 20 are typicallydetermined by the content provider who supplies the zoom locationindicators 20 and the video frames 18 to the Headend 12 for preparationfor broadcasting.

The zoom location indicators 20 are typically determined using one ormore of the following methods.

The first method typically includes manually entering the zoom locationindicators 20 by examination of the prerecorded video and using suitabletools to mark the target. Customization of commercially availableconventional video editing workstations and user input devices, forexample, available from Avid Technology, Inc., Avid Technology Park, OnePark West, Tewksbury, Mass. 01876, United States, may be used togenerate the zoom location indicators 20.

The second method typically includes automated detection of faces (a“talking head” shot) to identify an area of screen which corresponds tothe head of an individual who is speaking.

The third method typically includes three dimensional positioning and/ortelemetry on a moving vehicle and similar objects in sports coverage toidentify key objects in a wider shot. Currently, the third method isused to add graphics to moving cars in National Association for StockCar Auto Racing (NASCAR) coverage.

The fourth method typically includes using a simple fixed “safe area”overlay on a camera viewer which helps the cameraman frame a shot so thezoom target area 34 target is within the centre 30 of the shot. Itshould be noted that whilst it is true that the centre 30 will be aconstant value for the image generated by the camera, the radius 32 maychange from camera to camera. The radius may be a function of the camerazoom and/or focus. Also, in a given program, the shot typically changescontinuously and whilst some shots will be based on the fourth method,other shots may be based on one of the other methods having more dynamiczoom location indicator 20 data.

The fifth method typically includes automatically analyzing the graphicimage to find a pre-determined object (such as the position of the ballor a particular player or players in a game) for example, but notlimited to, by recognizing a color or a shape. Similar methods are inuse in graphic processing, where for example, an actor in a color-keyedsuit is marked with small lights or colored markers, so that hismovements can be recorded.

The sixth method typically includes using semi-automated methods, suchas eye-tracking of an operator or group of operators. For example, acommentator wears a headset with a faceplate or lenses (or utilizingother methods to record eye-movements). The movements are generallyconverted into zoom location indicators 20 in real time, so that theviewer can be focused on the same view as the commentator(s). It shouldbe noted that the use of eye-tracking is already in use for militarytargeting.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a block diagram view of theset-top box (STB) 14 for use with the system 10 of FIG. 1. Reference isalso made to FIG. 1. The set-top box 14 preferably includes a streamreceiver 86, a display processor 88 and a user input processor 90. Thestream receiver 86 typically receives the video frames 18 and the zoomlocation indicators 20 of the digital video stream 16 from thebroadcaster.

The display processor 88 generally processes the video frames 18 of thedigital video stream 16 based on the zoom location indicators 20 duringplay of the digital video stream 16 such that the video frames 18 arepreferably zoomed based on the zoom location indicators 20. When thelocation indicators 20 and the data of the video frames 18 are inseparate packets 70 (FIG. 4), the display processor 88 is typicallyoperative to temporally synchronize the zoom location indicators 20 andthe video frames 18.

By way of example only, a standard feature of all MPEG-2 (and MPEG-4)video decoders, found in interactive set-top boxes, is to selectivelyrender resize and pan the full screen video so as to present a smaller“window” of the full screen video at a larger size. For example, acommon feature in interactive sports and news applications is to selectone quadrant of a “four image” composite video feed and then zoom theselected quadrant to double size in both the horizontal and verticaldirections so as to completely fill the full screen output image. Thezooming performed by display processor 88 is typically implemented usingthe native capability of an MPEG-2 (or MPEG-4) decoder to support thezooming functionality of the display processor 88. Some small extensionsto the video driver and/or code rendering may be needed to support thefunctionality of the display processor 88 in the most efficient way.

The display processor 88 is also typically operative to interpolatebetween zoom location indicators 20 of two video frames 42, 48 for oneor more intervening video frames 44, 46 (FIG. 3) in order to determinethe interpolated centers 60, 64 and the interpolated radii 62, 66 forthe intervening video frames 44, 46.

The user input processor 90 is generally operative to allow the user toselect the operational mode of the set-top box 14 either to operate innon-zoom mode or in zoom mode. Therefore, the processing of the videoframes 18 based on the set-top box 14 is typically selectable by a userof the set-top box 14.

The user input processor 90 is generally operative such that themagnitude of the zoom is optionally determined by a user of the contentconsumer system in order to specify a fixed zoom or a zoom which is amultiple of the radius 32 (proportionately increased zoom).

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a block diagram view of arecording system 94 constructed and operative in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. The recording system issubstantially the same as the Headend 12 described with reference toFIG. 6, except for the following differences.

The recording system 94 does not typically need the broadcasting module84 (FIG. 6), which is preferably replaced by a recording module 96. Therecording module 96 is typically operative to prepare the digital videostream 16 (FIG. 4) for recording onto a non-volatile digital storagemedium 98 (FIG. 9) for reading by a content consumer system, forexample, but not limited to, a DVD player or any other suitable mediaplayer. The preparations functions of the recording module 96 preferablyinclude formatting the digital video stream 16 for the non-volatiledigital storage medium 98, sending the formatted digital video stream 16to a writing device (not shown) and sending instructions to the writingdevice.

The video frame processor 78, the zoom location processor 80 and thestream processor 82 are substantially the same as described withreference to FIG. 6.

The non-volatile digital storage medium 98 (FIG. 9) is shown by way ofexample as a DVD. However, it will be appreciated by those ordinarilyskilled in the art that non-volatile digital storage medium 98 may beany suitable non-volatile storage medium for example, but not limitedto, Flash or magnetic disk.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a partly pictorial, partlyblock diagram view of the non-volatile digital storage medium 98 formedby the recording system of FIG. 8. The non-volatile digital storagemedium 98 typically includes the video frames 18 (only one shown forclarity) and the zoom location indicators 20 including the center 30,radius 32 and an interpolation flag 100.

The zoom location indicators 20 and the data of the video frames 18 aretypically located in separate packets 70 in the digital video stream 16.The digital video stream 16 also preferably includes temporalsynchronization elements (t₁, by way of example in FIG. 9) forsynchronizing the zoom location indicators 20 and the video frames 18 inthe digital video stream 16.

The interpolation flag 100 generally informs the content consumer systemwhether to interpolate between the zoom location indicators 20 asdescribed with reference to FIG. 3.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which is partly pictorial, partlyblock diagram view of another non-volatile digital storage medium 102formed by the recording system of FIG. 8. The zoom location indicators20 are preferably included in the packets of the data of the videoframes 18 as described with reference to FIG. 5.

Reference is again made to FIG. 7. By way of introduction, it is knownthat media content can be restricted for certain viewers, for example,preventing children from viewing certain programs using parental controlsystems available in media devices such as set-top boxes (STBs).However, parental control systems typically only restrict access to acomplete program. Such restriction may not be necessary when parts ofthe program are acceptable.

The system 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 may be used tolook away from objectionable material by specifying the center 30 andthe radius 32 such that the zoom target area 34 includes anon-objectionable part of the image. The zoom control is typicallyautomatically activated when the suitability age of the program does notfall within the criteria specified by the supervisors of the set-top box14 as defined in the parental control rules managed by a parentalcontrol 106 unit of the set-top box 14.

Another system, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention, for dealing with objectionablematerial, is described below.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which is a party pictorial, partlyblock diagram view of a system 104 for visually obscuring, typicallyusing pixelization, at least part of selected video frames 18constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. The system 104 preferably includes the Headend 12for broadcasting the digital video stream 16 to the set-top boxes 14.The Headend 12 typically prepares the digital video stream 16 whichincludes the video frames 18 and a plurality of obscuring locationindicators, typically pixelization location indicators 108.

The pixelization location indicators 108 are substantially the same asthe zoom location indicators 20, as described below. The pixelizationlocation indicators 108 preferably include a center 110 of an obscuring(pixelization) target area 112 and a magnitude of the obscuring targetarea 112, the magnitude typically being a length, for example, a radius114 extending from the center 110 to a circumference 116 of theobscuring target area 112.

The center 110 of the obscuring target area 112 is an element typicallyindicative of a horizontal position and a vertical position in the videoframe 18. The center 110 is preferably measured using pixels. Similarly,the radius 114 of the zoom target area 112 is preferably measured usingpixels.

The set-top boxes 14 preferably use the radius 114 to calculate the sizeof the obscuring target area 112. The area enclosed by the circumference116 of the obscuring target area 112 is preferably obscured, typicallyusing pixelization. However, it will be appreciated by those ordinarilyskilled in the art that other obscuring methods may be used, forexample, but not limited to, using an opaque colored mask.

The pixelization location indicators 108 are typically defined duringpost-production or other processes associated with live TV production.Typically, the pixelization location indicators 108 are defined manuallyin order to specify the center 110 and radius 114 of the obscuringtarget area 112 of the selected video frames in order to generating timestamped metadata including the pixelization location indicators 108.Pixelization location indicators 108 for frames between the selectedvideo frames are preferably determined using any suitable interpolationtechnique processed either at the Headend 12 or in the set-top boxes 14.

The pixelization location indicators 108 are typically included in thedigital video stream 16 as a stream of low bandwidth, time-stampedmetadata.

The digital video stream 16 is received by the set-top boxes 14.

A plurality of viewers 118 are viewing the TV 24 and the viewer 26 isviewing a TV 28. The viewers 118 of the TV 24 are subject to parentalcontrol rules and the obscuring system 104 is activated so that selectedparts of selected video frames 18 are displayed with pixelization, asshown. The decoder of the set-top box 14 associated with the TV 24renders the obscuring target area 112 with a high level of pixelizationprobably by uniform pixels for a complete macro block.

However, the viewer 26 of the TV 28 is not subject to parental controlrules so the obscuring system 104 is not activated. Therefore, the videoframes 18 are displayed without pixelization thereby ignoring thepixelization location indicators 108.

Digital video transmission and synchronization systems in the set-topboxes 14 enable the time-stamped metadata of the pixelization locationindicators 108 to be processed, and where needed interpolated, withoutthe need for substantial additional CPU demand.

The functions of the system 104 is preferably performed using one ormore of the following, with certain modification, as described below:the Headend 12 of FIG. 6; the set-top box 14 of FIG. 7; the recordingsystem 94 of FIG. 8; the non-volatile digital storage medium 98 of FIG.9; and/or the non-volatile digital storage medium 102 of FIG. 10. Itwill be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that theobscuring/pixelization system 104 may be implemented with or without thezoom system 10. If the system 104 and the system 10 are implementedtogether, it will be appreciated that the digital video stream 16preferably includes both the zoom location indicators 20 and thepixelization location indicators 108 as described below.

Reference is again made to FIG. 6. Reference is also made to FIG. 11.The Headend 12 also typically includes an obscuring location processor,typically a pixelization processor 120, to preferably prepare thepixelization location indicators 108 in the digital video stream 16. Thestream processor 82 is preferably operative to associate thepixelization location indicators 108 and the video frames 18 in thedigital video stream 16, such that at least part of the video frames 18are available to be visually obscured, using pixelization, by theset-top boxes 14 based on the pixelization location indicators 108during playback of the digital video stream 16.

In substantially the same way that interpolation is performed for thezoom location indicators 20, with reference to FIG. 3, interpolation istypically performed for the pixelization location indicators 108.

Reference is also made to FIG. 4. When the pixelization locationindicators 108 and the data of the video frames 18 are located inseparate packets 70 in the digital video stream 16, the stream processor82 is preferably operative to temporally synchronize the pixelizationlocation indicators 108 and the video frames 16.

Reference is again made to FIG. 5, which shows that in accordance withthe alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, thepixelization location indicators 108 are located within the packets 70of the data of the video frames 18.

Reference is again made to FIG. 7. Reference is also made to FIG. 11.The stream receiver 86 also receives the pixelization locationindicators 108 of the digital video stream 16 from the broadcaster. Thedisplay processor 88 preferably visually obscures, using pixelization,at least part of the video frames 18 of the digital video stream 16based on the pixelization location indicators 108 during play of thedigital video stream 16.

It should be noted that the display processor 88 is typically onlyactivated to visually obscure the video frames 18 in accordance with oneor more parental control rule managed by the parental control 106.

By way of example only, in an MPEG2 set-top box, macro blocks describetiles within the video 16 and lower level data describes the pixelswithin the tiles. In order to perform pixelization in accordance withparental control rules, the MPEG2 decoder is instructed to render eachMPEG macro block within the center 110 and radius 114 pair as a uniformsingle color.

The display processor 88 is also preferably operative to interpolatepixelization location indicators 108, as necessary.

When the data of the video frames 18 and the pixelization locationindicators 108 are in separate packets 70, the display processor 88 ispreferably operative to temporally synchronize the pixelization locationindicators 108 and the video frames 18, as described with reference toFIG. 4.

Reference is again made to FIG. 8. The recording system 94 alsopreferably includes a pixelization location processor 122 to typicallyprepare the pixelization location indicators 108 in the digital videostream 16 generally including encoding, multiplexing and optionally (butpreferably) scrambling.

Reference is again made to FIG. 9. The non-volatile digital storagemedium 98 also preferably includes the pixelization location indicators108. The pixelization location indicators 108 and the data of the videoframes 18 are typically located in separate packets 70 in the digitalvideo stream 16. The synchronization elements (t₁, by way of example inFIG. 9) are also for synchronizing the pixelization location indicators108 and the video frames 18 in the digital video stream 16.

Reference is again made to FIG. 10. In accordance with the alternativepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the pixelization locationindicators 108 are typically included with the packet of the data of thevideo frames 18 in the non-volatile digital storage medium 102.

It will be understood that the system according to the present inventionmay be a suitably programmed processor. Likewise, the inventioncontemplates software being readable by a processor for executing themethod of the invention. The invention further contemplates amachine-readable memory tangibly embodying a program of instructionsexecutable by the machine for executing the method of the invention.

It will be appreciated that various features of the invention which are,for clarity, described in the contexts of separate embodiments may alsobe provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in anysuitable sub-combination. It will also be appreciated by persons skilledin the art that the present invention is not limited by what has beenparticularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of theinvention is defined only by the claims which follow.

1-70. (canceled)
 71. A system for preparing a digital video stream forplaying by a content consumer system, comprising: a video frameprocessor to prepare a plurality of video frames of the digital videostream; a location processor to prepare a plurality of locationindicators in the digital video stream, each of the location indicatorsincluding an element indicative of at least one horizontal position andat least one vertical position in the video frames; and a streamprocessor to associate the location indicators and the video frames inthe digital video stream, such that the video frames are available to beprocessed by the content consumer system based on the locationindicators while playing the digital video stream.
 72. The systemaccording to claim 71, further comprising a broadcasting module toprepare the digital video stream for broadcasting to the contentconsumer system.
 73. The system according to claim 71, furthercomprising a recording module to prepare the digital video stream forrecording onto a non-volatile digital storage medium for reading by thecontent consumer system.
 74. The system according to claim 71, wherein:the location indicators are zoom location indicators; and the streamprocessor is operative to associate the zoom location indicators and thevideo frames in the digital video stream, such that the video frames areavailable to be zoomed by the content consumer system based on the zoomlocation indicators while playing the digital video stream.
 75. Thesystem according to claim 71, wherein: the location indicators areobscuring location indicators; and the stream processor is operative toassociate the obscuring location indicators and the video frames in thedigital video stream, such that the video frames are available to beobscured by the content consumer system based on the obscuring locationindicators while playing the digital video stream.
 76. The systemaccording to claim 71, wherein the video frames include: a first videoframe associated with a first location indicator; and a second videoframe associated with a second location indicator; and at least oneintervening video frame temporally located between the first video frameand the second video frame, the display processor being operative tointerpolate between the first location indicator and the second locationindicator in order to determine an interpolated location indicator forthe at least one intervening frame.
 77. The system according to claim71, wherein the element of the location indicators is indicative of acenter of a target area.
 78. The system according to claim 77, whereineach of the location indicators includes a length indicative of amagnitude of the target area.
 79. A content consumer system forreceiving a digital video stream, the digital video stream including aplurality of video frames and a plurality of location indicators, eachof the location indicators including an element being indicative of atleast one horizontal position and at least one vertical position in thevideo frames, the system comprising: a stream receiver to receive thevideo frames and the location indicators of the video stream; and adisplay processor to process the video frames of the digital videostream based on the location indicators while playing the digital videostream.
 80. The system according to claim 79, wherein the displayprocessor is operative to zoom the video frames based on the locationindicators while playing the video stream.
 81. The system according toclaim 80, wherein the magnitude of the zoom is determined by a user ofthe content consumer system.
 82. The system according to claim 79,wherein the display processor is operative to visually obscure at leastpart of the video frames based on the location indicators while playingthe video stream.
 83. The system according to claim 82, wherein thedisplay processor is operative to visually obscure at least part of thevideo frames in accordance with a parental control rule.
 84. The systemaccording to claim 79, wherein the video frames include: a first videoframe associated with a first location indicator; and a second videoframe associated with a second location indicator; and at least oneintervening video frame temporally located between the first video frameand the second video frame, the display processor being operative tointerpolate between the first location indicator and the second locationindicator in order to determine an interpolated location indicator forthe at least one intervening frame.
 85. The system according to claim79, wherein the element of the location indicators is indicative of acenter of a target area.
 86. The system according to claim 85, whereineach of the location indicators includes a length indicative of amagnitude of the target area.
 87. A non-volatile digital storage mediumreadable by a content consumer system, the non-volatile digital storagemedium comprising a digital video stream including: a plurality of videoframes; and at least one location indicator, the at least one locationindicator including an element indicative of at least one horizontalposition and at least one vertical position in the video frames, thevideo frames and the at least one location indicator being associatedsuch that the video frames are available to be processed by the contentconsumer system based on the at least one location indicator duringplayback of the digital video stream.
 88. A method for preparing adigital video stream for playing by a content consumer system,comprising: preparing a plurality of video frames of the digital videostream; preparing a plurality of location indicators in the digitalvideo stream, each of the location indicators including an elementindicative of at least one horizontal position and at least one verticalposition in the video frames; and associating the location indicatorsand the video frames in the digital video stream, such that the videoframes are available to be processed by the content consumer systembased on the location indicators while playing the digital video stream.89. A method for playing a digital video stream, the digital videostream including a plurality of video frames and a plurality of locationindicators, each of the location indicators including an element beingindicative of at least one horizontal position and at least one verticalposition in the video frames, the method comprising: receiving the videoframes and the location indicators of the video stream; and processingthe video frames of the digital video stream based on the locationindicators while playing the digital video stream.
 90. A system forpreparing a digital video stream for playing by a content consumersystem, comprising: means for preparing a plurality of video frames ofthe digital video stream; means for preparing a plurality of locationindicators in the digital video stream, each of the location indicatorsincluding an element indicative of at least one horizontal position andat least one vertical position in the video frames; and means forassociating the location indicators and the video frames in the digitalvideo stream, such that the video frames are available to be processedby the content consumer system based on the location indicators whileplaying the digital video stream.
 91. A content consumer system forreceiving a digital video stream, the digital video stream including aplurality of video frames and a plurality of location indicators, eachof the location indicators including an element being indicative of atleast one horizontal position and at least one vertical position in thevideo frames, the system comprising: means for receiving the videoframes and the location indicators of the video stream; and means forprocessing the video frames of the digital video stream based on thelocation indicators while playing the digital video stream.